Main page

Government Directory

The Senate of the Republic

Image courtesy of Fratello Gracco via Wikimedia Commons licensed under Creative Commons 4.0

Overview

The Senate of the Republic, or simply the "Senate", is the upper house of the bicameral (i.e. two chamber) Italian Parliament, the Italian Parliament being the legislative branch of the Italian Republic

Authority

The Senate is the body responsible for motioning the Italian government into power (i.e. dà la fiducia, literally meaning "gives trust to"). Consequently, they also have the power to remove the government from power.[1]

Duties

Drafting and Passing a Bill into Law

Formation of a Subcommittee

Proposal of a Bill

First Reading of the Bill to the Senate

Second Reading of the Bill to the Senate

Final Approval from the President of the Republic

Constitutional Validity from the Constitutional Court of Italy

Electing the President of Italy

The President of the Senate

Recent Reform

References

[1] Senate of the Republic, Structure and functions of the Senate. (Original in Italian)